View source for ECOWAS

{{Short description|Formation of international cooperation among African States}}
{{distinguish|West African Economic and Monetary Union}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox Geopolitical organization
| conventional_long_name = Economic Community of West African States
| native_name            = {{unbulleted list|item_style=font-size:88%;|{{native name|fr|Communauté économique des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest}} |{{native name|pt|Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental}}}}
| linking_name           = the Economic Community of West African States
| image_flag             = ECOWAS Flag.png
| alt_flag               = 
| symbol_type            = Emblem
| image_symbol           = ECOWAS logo.svg
| alt_symbol             = 
| symbol_width           = 
| image_map              = ECOWAS members.svg
| map_caption            = {{legend2|#008C39|Member states}}<br />{{legend2|#71D836|Suspended states}}
| established            = 28 May 1975
| membership_type        = Member states
| membership             = {{collapsible list
 |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
 |title = [[#Member states|12 members]] 
|{{BEN}} |{{CPV}} |{{GMB}} |{{GHA}} |{{GUI}} (suspended) |{{GBS}} |{{CIV}} |{{LBR}} |{{NGA}} |{{SEN}} |{{SLE}} |{{TOG}}
 }}
| admin_center_type      = [[Headquarters]]
| admin_center           = {{nowrap|[[Abuja]], Nigeria}}
{{Coord|9|2|31|N|7|31|30|E|type:city(1,700,000)_region:NG-FC|display=inline,title}}
| languages_type         = [[Official language]]s
| languages              = {{unbulleted list |English|French |Portuguese}}
| leader_title1          = [[Chairman]]
| leader_name1           = {{nowrap|[[Julius Maada Bio]]}}
| leader_title2          = President of the Commission
| leader_name2           = {{nowrap|[[Omar Touray]]}}
| leader_title3          = [[Speaker (politics)|Speaker of the Parliament]]
| leader_name3           = Moustapha Cissé Lô
| established_event1     = [[Treaty of Lagos]]
| established_date1      = 28 May 1975<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.african-union.org/root/au/RECs/ecowas.htm |title=African Union |access-date=26 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017040817/http://www.african-union.org/root/au/RECs/ecowas.htm |archive-date=17 October 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| established_event2     = Treaty Revision
| established_date2      = 24 July 1993
| area_rank              = 7th
| area_km2               = 5,114,162
| area_sq_mi             = auto
| population_estimate    = 424.34 million
| population_estimate_rank = 3rd
| population_estimate_year = 2023
| population_density_km2 = 68.3
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_density_rank = 
| GDP_PPP                = US$1.483 trillion<ref>{{cite web |author=Data |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD?order=wbapi_data_value_2013+wbapi_data_value+wbapi_data_value-last&sort=desc |title=GDP, PPP (current international $) &#124; Table |publisher=World Bank |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308140931/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD?order=wbapi_data_value_2013+wbapi_data_value+wbapi_data_value-last&sort=desc |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 18th
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2015
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = US$4,247<ref>{{cite web |author=Data |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.PP.CD/countries |title=GNI per capita, PPP (current international $) &#124; Table |publisher=World Bank |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=14 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614050742/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.PP.CD/countries |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 
| GDP_nominal            = $816.4 billion<ref>{{cite web |author=Data |url=https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/regions/west-africa-ecowas/#economics |title=Enoch Randy Aikins (2023) West Africa/ECOWAS. Updated 7 June 2023. (current US$) &#124; Table |publisher=futures.issafrica.org. |access-date=18 June 2023 |archive-date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618214349/https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/regions/west-africa-ecowas/#economics |url-status=live}}</ref>
2019
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 21st
| GDP_nominal_year       = 
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $2,089
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 
| Gini_year              = 
| Gini_change            = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini                   = <!--number only-->
| Gini_ref               = 
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI_year               = 
| HDI_change             = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI                    = <!--number only-->
| HDI_ref                = 
| HDI_rank               = 
| currency               = {{unbulleted list
 | [[Eco (currency)]] ''proposed''
 | {{Flagicon|Cape Verde}} [[Cape Verdean escudo]] (CVE)
 | {{Flagicon|Ghana}} [[Ghanaian cedi]] (GHS)
 | {{Flagicon|Gambia}} [[Gambian dalasi]] (GMD)
 | {{Flagicon|Guinea}} [[Guinean franc]] (GNF)
 | {{Flagicon|Liberia}} [[Liberian dollar]] (LRD)
 | {{Flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Nigerian naira]] (NGN)
 | {{Flagicon|Sierra Leone}} [[Sierra Leonean leone]] (SLL)
 | {{Flagicon|Benin}}{{Flagicon|Guinea-Bissau}} {{Flagicon|Ivory Coast}} {{Flagicon|Senegal}} {{Flagicon|Togo}}
 | [[West African CFA franc]] (XOF)
 | [[West African Unit of Account]] (WAUA)
}}
| time_zone              = 
| utc_offset             = -1 to +1
| drives_on              = right
| official_website       = {{URL|https://www.ecowas.int/}}
}}

The '''Economic Community of West African States''' ('''ECOWAS'''; also known as '''CEDEAO''' in French and Portuguese) is a regional [[political union|political]] and [[economic union]] of twelve countries of [[West Africa]]. Collectively, the present and former members comprise an area of {{cvt|5,114,162|km2|sqmi}} and have an estimated population of over 424.34 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Members of the ECOWAS – Economic Community of West African States |url=https://www.worlddata.info/trade-agreements/ecowas-west-africa.php |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Worlddata.info |language=en |archive-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216162055/https://www.worlddata.info/trade-agreements/ecowas-west-africa.php |url-status=live}}</ref>

Considered one of the pillar [[Regional Economic Communities|regional blocs]] of the continent-wide [[African Economic Community]] (AEC), the stated goal of ECOWAS is to achieve "collective [[self-sustainability|self-sufficiency]]" for its member states by creating a single large trade bloc by building a full economic and trading union. Additionally, ECOWAS aims to raise [[Standard of living|living standards]] and promote [[economic development]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) |url=http://ustr.gov/countries-regions/africa/regional-economic-communities-rec/economic-community-west-african-states |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=United States Trade Representative |language=en |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011023645/https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/africa/regional-economic-communities-rec/economic-community-west-african-states |url-status=live}}</ref> The union was established on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the [[Treaty of Lagos]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-26 |title=Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Economic-Community-of-West-African-States |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Britannica |language=en}}</ref> with its stated mission to promote economic integration across the region. A revised version of the [[treaty]] was agreed and signed on 24 July 1993 in [[Cotonou]], the largest city in Benin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Revised ECOWAS Treaty (1993) |url=https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/otheriia/3207/revised-ecowas-treaty-1993- |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=UNCTAD Investment Policy Hub |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020122220/https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/otheriia/3207/revised-ecowas-treaty-1993-#:~:text=Revised%20ECOWAS%20Treaty%20(1993)%20%7C,Navigator%20%7C%20UNCTAD%20Investment%20Policy%20Hub |url-status=live}}</ref>

ECOWAS's published principles include equality and inter-dependence of member states, solidarity, self-reliance, cooperation and harmonization of policies, nonaggression, promotion of [[human rights]], economic and [[social justice]], and democratic governance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fundamental Principles |publisher=ECOWAS |url=https://ecowas.int/fundamental-principles-2/ |access-date=2023-10-15 |language=en |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031152136/https://ecowas.int/fundamental-principles-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Notably among ECOWAS's protocols and plans are the ECOWAS Free Movement of Persons, Residences and Establishment Protocol and the Ecotour Action Plan 2019–2029. The ''Free Movement of Persons Protocol'' permits citizens the right to enter and reside in any member state's territory,<ref name=":4" /> and the ''Ecotour Action Plan'' aims to develop and integrate the tourist industry of each member state.<ref name=":6" />

ECOWAS also serves as a [[peacekeeping]] force in the region, with member states occasionally sending joint [[military forces]] to intervene in the bloc's member countries at times of political instability and unrest.<ref name="deployment_to_liberia_2003_08_06_janes_defense_weekly">{{cite news |title=West African Leaders Agree on Deployment to Liberia |first=Segun |last=Adeyemi |newspaper=Jane's Defence Weekly |date=6 August 2003}}</ref><ref name="yahoomilint">{{cite news |title=The 5 previous West African military interventions |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/5-previous-west-african-military-interventions-111050770.html |access-date=27 January 2017 |work=Yahoo News |agency=AFP |date=20 January 2017 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128212144/https://www.yahoo.com/news/5-previous-west-african-military-interventions-111050770.html }}</ref>

In 2024, the [[Coup Belt|military governments]] of [[Niger]], [[Burkina Faso]], and [[Mali]] jointly announced their withdrawal from the bloc, after having been suspended following respective military takeovers in these countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-28 |title=Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso announce withdrawal from ECOWAS |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/28/niger-mali-burkina-faso-announce-withdrawal-from-ecowas |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso seek re-entry to regional blocs |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/10/west-africa-military-regimes-seek-reentry-to-regional-blocs |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> The withdrawal took effect on 29 January 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-29 |title=Military governments lead West African trio out of ECOWAS regional bloc |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/29/military-governments-lead-west-african-trio-out-of-ecowas-regional-bloc |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> The three later went on to form the [[Alliance of Sahel States]], with the end goal of establishing a federation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alliance of Sahel States |url=https://uia.org/s/or/en/1122288342 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=UIA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-08 |title=West Africa bloc warns of 'disintegration' as juntas form 'Confederation of Sahel States' |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20240708-west-africa-bloc-juntas-confederation-sahel |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref>

== Member states ==
ECOWAS currently has 12 member states: five [[French language|French]]-speaking, five [[English language|English]]-speaking, and two [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]-speaking. All current members joined the community as founding members in May 1975, except [[Cape Verde]] which joined in 1977.<ref name=HDM>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-KU_9MfXKKYC&pg=PA177 |title=Historical Dictionary of Mauritania |pages=177–178 |first=Anthony |last=Pazzanita |year=2008 |publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]] |isbn=978-0-8108-6265-4 |access-date=23 September 2015 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130131652/https://books.google.com/books?id=-KU_9MfXKKYC&pg=PA177#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Odeyemi 2020 97–123">{{Citation |last=Odeyemi |first=Temitayo Isaac |title=Regional Integration and the Political Economy of Morocco's Desire for Membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) |date=2020 |work=Pan Africanism, Regional Integration and Development in Africa |pages=97–123 |editor-last=Oloruntoba |editor-first=Samuel Ojo |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-34296-8_6 |isbn=978-3-030-34295-1 |s2cid=216250685}}</ref>

[[Morocco]] officially requested to join ECOWAS in February 2017.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 February 2017 |title=Afrique |url=https://www.diplomatie.ma/Politique%C3%A9trang%C3%A8re/Afrique/tabid/136/vw/1/ItemID/14476/language/en-US/Default.aspx?platform=hootsuite |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306235027/https://www.diplomatie.ma/Politique%C3%A9trang%C3%A8re/Afrique/tabid/136/vw/1/ItemID/14476/language/en-US/Default.aspx?platform=hootsuite |archive-date=6 March 2019 |publisher=Diplomatie.ma}}</ref> The application was endorsed in principle at the Summit of Heads of State in June 2017.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 June 2017 |title=Togolese president Faure Gnassingbe takes the reins of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government |url=http://www.ecowas.int/togolese-president-faure-gnassingbe-takes-the-reins-of-the-ecowas-authority-of-heads-of-state-and-government/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608141519/http://www.ecowas.int/togolese-president-faure-gnassingbe-takes-the-reins-of-the-ecowas-authority-of-heads-of-state-and-government/ |archive-date=8 June 2017 |access-date=15 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="Odeyemi 2020 97–123"/> However, Morocco's bid for membership was stalled as West African economic actors feared goods imported through Morocco's free trade agreements would flood the market of states within ECOWAS.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Imru AL Qays Talha Jebril |date=13 February 2020 |title=Morocco-ECOWAS: Good intentions are not enough |url=https://mipa.institute/7323 |publisher=Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis |access-date=23 March 2020 |archive-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920103510/https://mipa.institute/7323 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== States that have withdrawn or been suspended ===
Arabic-speaking [[Mauritania]] was one of the founding members of ECOWAS in 1975 and decided to withdraw in December 2000.<ref name="HDM" /> Mauritania signed a new associate-membership agreement in August 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Okanla |first=Karim |date=15 February 2019 |title=Like a magnet |url=https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/ecowas-has-made-considerable-progress-still-has-ample-room-improvement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925021753/https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/ecowas-has-made-considerable-progress-still-has-ample-room-improvement |archive-date=25 September 2020 |access-date=10 April 2019 |website=D+C, Development and Cooperation}}</ref>

[[Mali]] was suspended from ECOWAS on 30 May 2021, following its [[2021 Malian coup d'état|second military coup]] within nine months.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 May 2021 |title=ECOWAS suspends Mali over second coup in nine months |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/31/ecowas-suspends-mali-over-second-coup-in-nine-months |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606081849/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/31/ecowas-suspends-mali-over-second-coup-in-nine-months |archive-date=6 June 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=Al Jazeera}}</ref> [[Guinea]] was also suspended on 8 September 2021, shortly after a [[2021 Guinean coup d'état|military coup]] took place in the country.<ref name="leaders_due_in_guinea_2021_09_09_reuters">{{Cite news |last1=Samb |first1=Saliou |last2=Eboh |first2=Camillus |last3=Inveen |first3=Cooper |date=9 September 2021 |editor-last=Heritage |editor-first=Timothy |title=West African leaders due in Guinea as post-coup calm pervades Conakry |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-leaders-due-guinea-post-coup-calm-pervades-conakry-2021-09-09/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205073355/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-leaders-due-guinea-post-coup-calm-pervades-conakry-2021-09-09/ |archive-date=5 February 2023 |access-date=9 September 2021 |work=Reuters |editor2-first=Steve |editor2-last=Orlofsky |editor3-first=Richard |editor3-last=Pullin}}</ref><ref name="leaders_suspend_guinea_2021_09_08_bbc">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58487925 "West African leaders suspend Guinea from Ecowas following coup"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908125315/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58487925 |date=8 September 2021 }}, 9 September 2021, [[BBC News]], retrieved 9 September 2021</ref> Sanctions were placed on both countries on 16 September.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Christian |first1=Akorlie |last2=Samb |first2=Saliou |last3=Felix |first3=Bate |last4=Inveen |first4=Cooper |last5=Prentice |first5=Alessandra |date=17 September 2021 |editor-last=Cawthorne |editor-first=Andrew |title=West African bloc resorts to sanctions over Guinea and Mali coups |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-leaders-meet-decide-guinea-after-coup-2021-09-16/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917070419/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-leaders-meet-decide-guinea-after-coup-2021-09-16/ |archive-date=17 September 2021 |access-date=17 September 2021 |work=Reuters |editor2-first=Marguerita |editor2-last=Choy |editor3-first=Grant |editor3-last=McCool}}</ref> On 10 January 2022, Mali announced its decision to close its borders and recalled several ambassadors with ECOWAS in response to sanctions imposed for deferring elections for four years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AHMED |first=BABA |date=10 January 2022 |title=Mali's junta deplores new sanctions imposed by regional bloc |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mali-s-junta-deplores-new-sanctions-imposed-by-16763433.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110161440/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mali-s-junta-deplores-new-sanctions-imposed-by-16763433.php |archive-date=10 January 2022 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=SFGATE |language=en-US}}</ref> On 28 January 2022, [[Burkina Faso]] was suspended from ECOWAS following a [[January 2022 Burkina Faso coup d'état|military coup]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 January 2022 |title=West African regional bloc suspends Burkina Faso's membership over coup |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20220128-west-african-regional-bloc-suspends-burkina-faso-s-membership-over-coup |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128153217/http://www.france24.com/en/africa/20220128-west-african-regional-bloc-suspends-burkina-faso-s-membership-over-coup |archive-date=28 January 2022 |access-date=28 January 2022 |work=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> [[Niger]] was suspended from ECOWAS after the [[2023 Nigerien coup d'état|2023 coup d'état]] and threatened with military intervention if President [[Mohamed Bazoum]] was not restored to office,<ref name="The Point">{{Cite news |date=1 August 2023 |title=West Africa: ECOWAS Warns It Could Use Force in Niger |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202308010371.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215094540/https://allafrica.com/stories/202308010371.html |archive-date=15 December 2023 |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=The Point |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=West African ECOWAS bloc suspends ties with Niger and authorizes use of force if president not reinstated within a week |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/west-african-ecowas-bloc-suspends-ties-niger-authorizes-101848076 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730130606/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/west-african-ecowas-bloc-suspends-ties-niger-authorizes-101848076 |archive-date=30 July 2023 |access-date=31 July 2023 |work=[[Associated Press]] |location=[[Niamey]] |agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref> causing the [[2023 Nigerien crisis|Nigerien crisis]]. Additionally, ECOWAS closed all land and air borders between other member states and Niger and instituted a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger. The suspension removed all commercial and financial transactions and froze Niger's assets in ECOWAS central banks.<ref name="The Point" /> On 16 September 2023, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso formed a military alliance, the [[Alliance of Sahel States]] (AES), following ECOWAS's threat to intervene to restore civilian rule in Niger.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 September 2023 |title=Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso sign Sahel security pact |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-niger-burkina-faso-sign-sahel-security-pact-2023-09-16/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230917031315/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-niger-burkina-faso-sign-sahel-security-pact-2023-09-16/ |archive-date=17 September 2023 |access-date=29 January 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref> On 21 November 2023, Niger's military government asked the ECOWAS regional court to order the lifting of sanctions imposed on the country.<ref name=":7" /> Until the coup, aid from countries like the United States and international organizations like ECOWAS accounted for almost half of Niger's annual budget. Following Niger's ECOWAS suspension, Niger's neighbours closed their borders to the country and 70 percent of its electricity, coming from Nigeria, was cut off.<ref name=":7" /> While these sanctions and consequences that have followed have affected the individuals and economy of Niger, the government is not backing down. As a result of the suspension, children have not been able to attend school due to lack of supplies, and businesses are shutting down due to rising costs. Further, the ECOWAS lawyer pointed out that the Nigerien government is not recognized by ECOWAS and therefore does not have the power to ask the regional court for a removal of these sanctions.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Niger government asks court to force ECOWAS to lift coup sanctions |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/22/niger-asks-west-africas-court-to-compel-neighbors-to-lift-coup-sanctions-citing-hardship |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128184814/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/22/niger-asks-west-africas-court-to-compel-neighbors-to-lift-coup-sanctions-citing-hardship |archive-date=28 November 2023 |access-date=27 November 2023 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

On 28 January 2024, [[Niger]], [[Mali]], and [[Burkina Faso]] announced via a joint statement that they were withdrawing from ECOWAS "without delay".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger quit ECOWAS – DW – 01/28/2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/mali-burkina-faso-and-niger-quit-ecowas/a-68106116 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128163609/https://www.dw.com/en/mali-burkina-faso-and-niger-quit-ecowas/a-68106116 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> The three nations, all of which are currently ruled by military juntas, accused ECOWAS of implementing "inhumane" sanctions in order to reverse the coups in each nation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso withdraw from West Africa regional bloc ECOWAS as tensions deepen |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/mali-niger-burkina-faso-withdraw-west-africas-regional-106743815 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128165721/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/mali-niger-burkina-faso-withdraw-west-africas-regional-106743815 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> Under the ECOWAS protocol, immediate withdrawal is not possible, and the three member states could remain in the bloc for up to a year. ECOWAS said in a statement that "Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso announce withdrawal from ECOWAS |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/28/niger-mali-burkina-faso-announce-withdrawal-from-ecowas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128200440/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/28/niger-mali-burkina-faso-announce-withdrawal-from-ecowas |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

On 24 February 2024, ECOWAS announced that it was lifting some sanctions against Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. For Niger this included the border closures, the freezing of central bank and state assets, the suspension of commercial transactions, and the no-fly-zone for commercial flights to and from Niger. However, the political sanctions and targeted sanctions would remain in force. The communiqué said this was done for humanitarian reasons, but it was seen as a gesture of appeasement to dissuade the three junta-led states from withdrawing from the bloc. ECOWAS also lifted sanctions on Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Onuah |first=Felix |date=24 February 2024 |title=West African bloc lifts sanctions on junta-led Niger |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-ecowas-bloc-mulls-new-strategy-towards-junta-states-2024-02-24/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240224200948/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-ecowas-bloc-mulls-new-strategy-towards-junta-states-2024-02-24/ |archive-date=24 February 2024 |access-date=24 February 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yekeen |first=Akinwale |date=24 February 2024 |title=ECOWAS lifts sanctions against Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso |url=https://www.thecable.ng/ecowas-lifts-sanctions-against-niger-mali-burkina-faso |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225004240/https://www.thecable.ng/ecowas-lifts-sanctions-against-niger-mali-burkina-faso |archive-date=25 February 2024 |access-date=25 February 2024 |work=TheCable}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 2024 |title=West African bloc ECOWAS lifts sanctions against Guinea, Mali |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240225-%F0%9F%94%B4-west-african-bloc-ecowas-lifts-its-economic-sanctions-against-guinea-statement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226032405/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240225-%F0%9F%94%B4-west-african-bloc-ecowas-lifts-its-economic-sanctions-against-guinea-statement |archive-date=26 February 2024 |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=France 24}}</ref>

In December 2024, ECOWAS heads of state of the member countries met to finalize the decision regarding the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, united under the AES.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECOWAS wants to formalize the withdrawal of the AES countries |url=https://www.africaintelligence.fr/afrique-ouest/2024/11/27/la-cedeao-en-passe-d-acter-le-depart-des-pays-de-l-aes,110344446-eve |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=africaintelligence.fr |date=27 November 2024 |language=fr}}</ref> President of Senegal, Basirou Diomaye Faye, stated on 8 December 2024 that he was continuing to discuss with the three countries remaining in ECOWAS, while maintaining the Alliance of Sahel States, which he recognized as a security response in the Sahel region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senegal 'making progress' convincing military regimes in Sahel to remain with Ecowas |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20241209-senegal-making-progress-convincing-military-regimes-in-sahel-to-remain-with-ecowas |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=RFI |date=9 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> On 12 December 2024, ECOWAS President Bola Tinubu confirmed the political will of ECOWAS leaders to reintegrate the three countries from the Alliance of Sahel States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECOWAS is Open to Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Tinubu Assures German President |url=https://newscentral.africa/ecowas-is-open-to-burkina-faso-niger-mali-tinubu-assures-german-president/ |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=News Central Africa |date=12 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> On 15 December 2024, the Conference of Heads of State of ECOWAS adopted an exit transition period for Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, which begins on 29 January 2025 and ends on 29 July 2025. During this transition period, ECOWAS has indicated that any exit would be reversible.<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Africa regional bloc approves exit timeline for 3 coup-hit member states |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ecowas-ap-west-africa-abuja-nigeria-b2664698.html |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=The Independent |date=15 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The AES rejected the proposal.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} Celebrations were held in the three countries to mark the formal exit on 29 January.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 January 2025 |title=Thousands rally in Burkina, Mali and Niger to cheer ECOWAS exit |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250128-thousands-rally-in-burkina-mali-and-niger-to-cheer-ecowas-exit |access-date=29 January 2025 |work=France24}}</ref> ECOWAS noted the withdrawal, while calling for the continuance of existing arrangements for the free movement of people and goods, including requesting its own members still accept documents from the departing countries.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 January 2025 |title=Military governments lead West African trio out of ECOWAS regional bloc |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/29/military-governments-lead-west-african-trio-out-of-ecowas-regional-bloc |access-date=29 January 2025 |work=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 January 2025 |title=Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso formally leave ECOWAS |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/01/29/niger-mali-and-burkina-faso-formally-leave-ecowas_6737542_4.html |access-date=29 January 2025 |work=Le Monde}}</ref>

The Foreign Ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States met on 26 January 2025, in Ouagadougou "in anticipation of future talks with ECOWAS", The Ministers reached a consensus on the overall approach to future negotiations with ECOWAS, in the best interest of the Sahelian populations. From 29 January 2025, begins the beginning of a six-month "transition period" after the official separation with the three Sahelian countries. The three Sahelian countries rejected any possibility of reversing their decision.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 January 2025 |title=CFA franc, passports, joint force: What are the Sahel States' plans after split with ECOWAS? |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/375211/cfa-franc-passports-joint-force-what-are-the-sahel-states-plans-after-split-with-ecowas/ |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=The africa report}}</ref>

In June 2025, the heads of state of ECOWAS met to finalize the formalities for the countries' exit from the alliance of Sahel states.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 June 2025 |title=Afrique de l'Ouest Cedeao: les chefs d'État en sommet le 22 juin à Abuja |url=https://www.africaintelligence.fr/afrique-ouest/2025/06/12/cedeao--les-chefs-d-etat-en-sommet-le-22-juin-a-abuja,110464618-bre |access-date=12 June 2025 |work=Africa intelligence}}</ref>

{| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:95%; white-space:nowrap"
|+ ECOWAS member states
! scope="col" style="width:120px;" | Country
! scope="col" style="width:100px;" | Area<ref name="UNarea">{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=Demographic Yearbook – Population by sex, annual rate of population increase, surface area and density |url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2012/Table03.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110134404/http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2012/Table03.pdf |archive-date=10 November 2013 |access-date=27 January 2017 |publisher=United Nations Statistics Division |pages=1–2}}</ref><br />{{small|(km<sup>2</sup>)}}
! scope="col" style="width:100px;" | Population<ref name="WB2015pop">{{Cite web |date=16 December 2016 |title=Population 2015 |url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/POP.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121145834/http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/POP.pdf |archive-date=21 January 2017 |access-date=27 January 2017 |publisher=[[World Bank]]}}</ref><br />{{small|(thousands)}}
! scope="col" style="width:100px;" | {{nowrap|GDP (nominal)<ref name="WB2015gdp">{{Cite web |date=16 December 2016 |title=Gross domestic product 2015 |url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GDP.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224045445/http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GDP.pdf |archive-date=24 December 2016 |access-date=27 January 2017 |publisher=[[World Bank]]}}</ref><br />{{small|(millions USD)}}}}
! scope="col" style="width:100px;" | {{nowrap|GDP (PPP)<ref name="WB2015ppp">{{Cite web |date=16 December 2016 |title=Gross domestic product 2015, PPP |url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GDP_PPP.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222233618/http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GDP_PPP.pdf |archive-date=22 December 2016 |access-date=27 January 2017 |publisher=[[World Bank]]}}</ref><br />{{small|(millions intl.$)}}}}
! scope="col" style="width:80px;" | Currency
! scope="col" style="width:80px;" | Official<br />language
! scope="col" style="width:80px;" | Status
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Benin}}
| align=right | {{nts|114763}}
| align=right | {{nts|10880}}
| align=right | {{nts|8291}}
| align=right | {{nts|22377}}
| align=left | [[West African CFA franc|CFA franc]]
| align=left | [[French language|French]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Cape Verde}}
| align=right | {{nts|4033}}
| align=right | {{nts|521}}
| align=right | {{nts|1603}}
| align=right | {{nts|3413}}
| align=left | [[Cape Verdean escudo|escudo]]
| align=left | [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|The Gambia}}
| align=right | {{nts|11295}}
| align=right | {{nts|1991}}
| align=right | {{nts|939}}
| align=right | {{nts|3344}}
| align=left | [[Gambian dalasi|dalasi]]
| align=left | [[English language|English]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Ghana}}
| align=right | {{nts|238533}}
| align=right | {{nts|27410}}
| align=right | {{nts|37543}}
| align=right | {{nts|115409}}
| align=left | [[Ghanaian cedi|cedi]]
| align=left | [[English language|English]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Guinea}}
| align=right | {{nts|245857}}
| align=right | {{nts|12609}}
| align=right | {{nts|6699}}
| align=right | {{nts|15244}}
| align=left | [[Guinean franc|franc]]
| align=left | [[French language|French]]
| align=left |Suspended
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Guinea-Bissau}}
| align=right | {{nts|36125}}
| align=right | {{nts|1844}}
| align=right | {{nts|1057}}
| align=right | {{nts|2685}}
| align=left | [[West African CFA franc|CFA franc]]
| align=left | [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Ivory Coast}}
| align=right | {{nts|322463}}
| align=right | {{nts|22702}}
| align=right | {{nts|31759}}
| align=right | {{nts|79766}}
| align=left | [[West African CFA franc|CFA franc]]
| align=left | [[French language|French]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Liberia}}
| align=right | {{nts|111369}}
| align=right | {{nts|4503}}
| align=right | {{nts|2053}}
| align=right | {{nts|3762}}
| align=left | [[Liberian dollar|dollar]]
| align=left | [[English language|English]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Nigeria}}
| align=right | {{nts|923768}}
| align=right | {{nts|211400}}
| align=right | {{nts|481066}}
| align=right | {{nts|1093921}}
| align=left | [[Nigerian naira|naira]]
| align=left | [[English language|English]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Senegal}}
| align=right | {{nts|196712}}
| align=right | {{nts|15129}}
| align=right | {{nts|13610}}
| align=right | {{nts|36625}}
| align=left | [[West African CFA franc|CFA franc]]
| align=left | [[French language|French]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Sierra Leone}}
| align=right | {{nts|72300}}
| align=right | {{nts|6453}}
| align=right | {{nts|4215}}
| align=right | {{nts|10127}}
| align=left | [[Sierra Leonean leone|leone]]
| align=left | [[English language|English]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|-
! scope=row | {{flag|Togo}}
| align=right | {{nts|56785}}
| align=right | {{nts|7305}}
| align=right | {{nts|4088}}
| align=right | {{nts|10667}}
| align=left | [[West African CFA franc|CFA franc]]
| align=left | [[French language|French]]
| align=left | {{sortdash}}
|- class="sortbottom"
! scope=row | '''Total'''
| align=right | '''{{nts|2334003}}'''
| align=right | '''{{nts|322747}}'''
| align=right | '''{{nts|592923}}'''
| align=right | '''{{nts|1397340}}'''
| colspan="3" align="center" | {{sortdash}}
|}
Statistics for population, nominal [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] and [[purchasing power parity]] GDP listed below are taken from [[World Bank]] estimates for 2015, published in December 2016.<ref name="WB2015pop" /><ref name="WB2015gdp" /><ref name="WB2015ppp" /> Area data is taken from a 2012 report compiled by the [[United Nations Statistics Division]].<ref name="UNarea" />

== History ==

ECOWAS was formed initially from the region's former French, British and Portuguese colonies, and independent Liberia, following post-colonial independence throughout the region (particularly in the 1960s and 1970s). At independence, many African states were challenged in increasing economic development.<ref name=":3" /> Because these states could not address problems individually, there was a need for a regional approach and thus ECOWAS was founded.<ref name=":3">{{cite book |first1=Funmi |last1=Olonisakin |chapter=ECOWAS: From Economic Integration to Peace-building |pages=11–26 |doi=10.2307/j.ctvk8w0dp.6 |jstor=j.ctvk8w0dp.6 |title=ECOWAS and the Dynamics of Conflict and Peace-building |date=2011 |publisher=CODESRIA |isbn=978-2-86978-496-3}}</ref> ECOWAS was formed to provide regional economic cooperation, but has since evolved to include political and military cooperation, as well.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Yansane |first1=Aguibou |title=The State of Economic Integration in North West Africa South of the Sahara: The Emergence of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) |journal=African Studies Review |date=1977 |volume=20 |issue=2 |pages=63–87 |doi=10.2307/523653 |jstor=523653}}</ref>

The union was established on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the [[Treaty of Lagos]], with its stated mission to promote economic integration across the region. A revised version of the treaty was agreed and signed on 24 July 1993 in Cotonou.<ref name="Odeyemi 2020 97–123"/> Considered one of the pillar [[trade bloc|regional blocs]] of the continent-wide [[African Economic Community]] (AEC), the stated goal of ECOWAS is to achieve "collective [[self-sustainability|self-sufficiency]]" for its member states by creating a single large trade bloc by building a full economic and trading union.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Basic information |website=ECOWAS |url=https://ecowas.int/about-ecowas/basic-information/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |archive-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221052450/https://ecowas.int/about-ecowas/basic-information/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

ECOWAS also serves as a [[peacekeeping]] force in the region, with member states occasionally sending joint military forces to intervene in the bloc's member countries at times of political instability and unrest.<ref name=":3" /> ECOWAS facilitates peacekeeping through systematic collaboration with civil society, cooperation with development policies, and other activities with the goal to meet sub-regional security challenges.<ref name=":3" /> It has played an important role in monitoring transitional election in West Africa, and these mediation efforts have even been recognized within and outside the continent of Africa.<ref name=":3" /> In recent years these included interventions in [[First Ivorian Civil War|Ivory Coast in 2003]], [[Second Liberian Civil War|Liberia in 2003]], [[2012 Guinea-Bissau coup d'état|Guinea-Bissau in 2012]], [[Northern Mali conflict|Mali in 2013]], [[ECOWAS military intervention in the Gambia|The Gambia in 2017]],<ref name="deployment_to_liberia_2003_08_06_janes_defense_weekly" /><ref name="yahoomilint"/> and [[2022 Guinea-Bissau coup attempt|Guinea-Bissau in 2022]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.africanews.com/2022/06/21/ecowas-stabilisation-force-deployed-in-troubled-guinea-bissau// |title=ECOWAS stabilisation force deployed in troubled Guinea Bissau |work=Africanews |date=21 June 2022 |access-date=29 January 2025}}</ref> Since its creation, ECOWAS has sent peacekeeping forces seven times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coups in Africa, Even in ECOWAS |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/coups-africa-even-ecowas |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=Wilson Center |date=26 September 2023 |language=en |archive-date=27 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127173744/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/coups-africa-even-ecowas |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2011, ECOWAS adopted its development blueprint for the next decade, ''Vision 2020'', and, to accompany it, a Policy on Science and Technology ([[ECOWAS Policy on Science and Technology (ECOPOST)|ECOPOST]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECOWAS VISION 2020 |url=http://araa.org/sites/default/files/media/ECOWAS-VISION-2020_0.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630123354/http://araa.org/sites/default/files/media/ECOWAS-VISION-2020_0.pdf |archive-date=2022-06-30 |website=Regional Agency For Agriculture And Food}}</ref> However, it has had trouble achieving the goals outlined in the policy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forson |first=Joseph Ato |date=2019-09-02 |title=West African states have a science and technology plan. But it's going nowhere |url=http://theconversation.com/west-african-states-have-a-science-and-technology-plan-but-its-going-nowhere-121273 |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=The Conversation |language=en |archive-date=30 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730194024/http://theconversation.com/west-african-states-have-a-science-and-technology-plan-but-its-going-nowhere-121273 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Covering a region known as a "[[coup belt]]", ECOWAS, since the 1990s, has attempted to defend the region's shift towards democracy against authoritarian attacks. According to the BBC, since 1990, 78% of the 27 coups in sub-Saharan Africa have taken place in former French colonies. This has led some to question whether French influence in Africa has a destabilising effect.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-06 |title=Is France to blame for coups in West Africa? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66406137 |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806004657/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66406137 |url-status=live}}</ref> The transition governments in Mali and Burkina Faso cancelled military agreements that allow for French troops to operate on their territory, and in the case of Mali, removed French as an official language.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ndiaga |first=Thiam |date=2023-02-20 |title=Burkina Faso marks official end of French military operations on its soil |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/burkina-faso-marks-official-end-french-military-operations-its-soil-2023-02-19/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |archive-date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806010611/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/burkina-faso-marks-official-end-french-military-operations-its-soil-2023-02-19/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Last French troops leave Mali, ending nine-year deployment |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/16/last-french-troops-leave-mali-ending-nine-year-deployment |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=19 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019182515/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/16/last-french-troops-leave-mali-ending-nine-year-deployment |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Avi-Yonah |first=Shera |date=2023-08-04 |title=Mali demotes French, language of its former colonizer, in symbolic move |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/08/03/mali-french-new-constitution/ |access-date=2023-08-06 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803234614/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/08/03/mali-french-new-constitution/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However, the group has been cited for mild and ineffective responses in the early 2020s, when three member countries experienced military [[coups d'état]] – two in Mali, one in Guinea, and two in Burkina Faso.<ref name="leaders_due_in_guinea_2021_09_09_reuters" /><ref name="leaders_suspend_guinea_2021_09_08_bbc" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Durmaz |first=Mucahid |title=As militarisation spreads, ECOWAS faces credibility crisis |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/8/as-militarisation-spreads-ecowas-faces-credibility-crisis |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=30 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730194022/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/8/as-militarisation-spreads-ecowas-faces-credibility-crisis |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-18 |title=The "politics of coups" shape the response to West Africa's military juntas |url=https://www.diis.dk/en/node/26399 |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=DIIS |language=en |archive-date=30 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730194024/https://www.diis.dk/en/node/26399 |url-status=live}}</ref> When a fourth member, Niger, experienced a [[2023 Nigerien coup d'état|coup d'état in July 2023]], ECOWAS was vocal in its condemnation and raised the possibility of military action if the deposed president was not reinstated by 7 August 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-30 |title=West African leaders threaten intervention in Niger after military coup |work=[[Radio France Internationale]] |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20230730-west-africa-ecowas-threaten-military-intervention-iniger-military-coup |access-date=2023-07-30 |archive-date=30 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730165329/https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20230730-west-africa-ecowas-threaten-military-intervention-iniger-military-coup |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-30 |title=Niger coup: West African leaders threaten military intervention |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66353284 |access-date=2023-07-30 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802193949/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66353284 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-11 |title=ECOWAS approves military intervention in Niger |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/north-africa/2023/08/11/ECOWAS-approves-military-intervention-in-Niger |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811010255/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/north-africa/2023/08/11/ECOWAS-approves-military-intervention-in-Niger |url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the Nigerien military's refusal to restore civilian rule, ECOWAS activated its standby force composed of all other members except for Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Cape Verde.

On 6 July 2024, the military leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso signed a new pact to form a confederation, a political union of [[sovereign state]]s. The confederation's stated goal is to provide mutual defense, pool resources to build energy and communications infrastructure, establish a [[Single market|common market]], implement a [[monetary union]] under proposed currency ''the Sahel'', allow [[free movement of persons]], enable [[Industrialisation|industrialization]], and invest in agriculture, mines and energy sectors, with the end goal of [[Federation|federalizing]] into a single [[sovereign state]]. The move is seen as a strong move away from ECOWAS, which has been pressing for a return to civilian rule.

== Structure ==

=== Overall ===
ECOWAS consists of two operating institutions to implement policies: the ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) – formerly known as the Fund for Cooperation, until it was renamed in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bidc-ebid.org/en/?page_id=42697 |website=ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development |title=Aboutus – EBID &#124; ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203144953/https://www.bidc-ebid.org/en/?page_id=42697 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition, ECOWAS includes the following institutions: ECOWAS Commission, Community Court of Justice,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://prod.courtecowas.org/ |title=CCJ Official Website |work=prod.courtecowas.org |access-date=16 October 2019 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126174839/http://prod.courtecowas.org/ }}</ref> Community Parliament,<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.ecowas.int/ |title=Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) |work=ecowas.int |access-date=27 July 2023 |archive-date=22 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222021223/https://www.ecowas.int/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID),<ref name="auto"/> West African Health Organisation (WAHO),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wahooas.org/web-ooas/ |title=WAHO: West African Health Organization |website=WAHO |access-date=27 July 2023 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101114112/https://www.wahooas.org/web-ooas/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in West Africa (GIABA).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.giaba.org/ |title=Welcome ! |publisher=GIABA |access-date=2019-10-16 |archive-date=7 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207185437/https://www.giaba.org/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

ECOWAS includes two sub-regional blocks:

* The [[West African Economic and Monetary Union]] (also known by its French-language acronym UEMOA) is an organisation of eight, mainly French-speaking, states within ECOWAS which share a [[customs union]] and [[currency union]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Basic information |website=ECOWAS |url=https://ecowas.int/about-ecowas/basic-information/ |access-date=2022-02-21 |archive-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221052450/https://ecowas.int/about-ecowas/basic-information/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Established in 1994 and intended to counterbalance the dominance of English-speaking economies in the bloc (such as Nigeria and Ghana), members of UEMOA are mostly former territories of [[French West Africa]]. The currency they all use is the [[CFA franc]], which is [[Fixed exchange-rate system|pegged]] to the [[euro]].<ref name=":0" />
* The [[West African Monetary Zone]] (WAMZ), established in 2000, comprises six mainly English-speaking countries within ECOWAS which plan to work towards adopting their own common currency, the [[Eco (currency)|eco]].<ref name=":0" />

ECOWAS operates in three co-official languages—French, English, and Portuguese.<ref name=":0" />

=== Executive secretaries and presidents of the commission ===
{| class=" wikitable sortable"
|-
!Executive Secretary
! Country
! In office
|-
| Inaugural holder [[Aboubakar Diaby Ouattara]]<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ajulo |first=Sunday Babalola |date=1989 |title=The Economic Community of West African States and International Law |journal=The Journal of Modern African Studies |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=233–250 |doi=10.1017/S0022278X0000046X |jstor=160849 |s2cid=154306079 |issn=0022-278X}}</ref>
|{{CIV}}
| January 1977 – 1985
|-
|[[Momodu Munu]]
| rowspan="2" |{{SLE}}
| 1985–1989
|-
|[[Abass Bundu]]
| 1989–1993
|-
|[[Édouard Benjamin]]
| rowspan="2" |{{GIN}}
| 1993–1997
|-
|[[Lansana Kouyaté]]
| September 1997 – 31 January 2002
|-
|[[Mohamed Ibn Chambas]]
| rowspan="3" |{{GHA}}
| 1 February 2002 – 31 December 2006
|-
|[[Mohamed Ibn Chambas]]
| 1 January 2007 – 18 February 2010
|-
|[[James Victor Gbeho]]
| 18 February 2010 – 1 March 2012
|-
|[[Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo]]
|{{BFA}}
| 1 March 2012 – 4 June 2016
|-
|[[Marcel Alain de Souza]]
|{{BEN}}
| 4 June 2016 – 1 March 2018
|-
|[[Jean-Claude Brou]]
|{{CIV}}
| 1 March 2018 – 3 July 2022
|-
|[[Omar Touray]]
|{{GAM}}
| 3 July 2022 – present
|}

=== Chairpersons===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chairperson<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.ecowas.int/history-2/ |title=History |publisher=Directorate of Communication, ECOWAS Commission |year=2024 |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114230656/https://www.ecowas.int/history-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
! Country
! In office
|-
|[[Yakubu Gowon]]
|{{NGR}}
| 28 May 1975 – 29 July 1975
|-
|[[Gnassingbé Eyadéma]]
|{{TOG}}
| 29 July 1975 – 13 September 1977
|-
|[[Olusegun Obasanjo]]
|{{NGR}}
| 13 September 1977 – 30 September 1979
|-
|[[Léopold Sédar Senghor]]
|{{SEN}}
| 30 September 1979 – 31 December 1980
|-
|[[Gnassingbé Eyadéma]]
|{{TOG}}
| 1980–1981
|-
|[[Siaka Stevens]]
|{{SLE}}
| 1981–1982
|-
|[[Mathieu Kérékou]]
|{{flag|Benin|1975}}
| 1982–1983
|-
|[[Ahmed Sékou Touré]]
| rowspan="2" |{{GIN}}
| 1983–1984
|-
|[[Lansana Conté]]
| 1984–1985
|-
|[[Muhammadu Buhari]]
| rowspan="2" |{{NGR}}
| 1985 – 27 August 1985
|-
|[[Ibrahim Babangida]]
| 27 August 1985 – 1989
|-
|[[Dawda Jawara]]
|{{GAM}}
| 1989–1990
|-
|[[Blaise Compaoré]]
|{{BFA}}
| 1990–1991
|-
|[[Dawda Jawara]]
|{{GAM}}
| 1991–1992
|-
|[[Abdou Diouf]]
|{{SEN}}
| 1992–1993
|-
|[[Nicéphore Soglo]]
|{{BEN}}
| 1993–1994
|-
|[[Jerry Rawlings]]
|{{GHA}}
| 1994 – 27 July 1996
|-
|[[Sani Abacha]]
| rowspan="2" |{{NGR}}
| 27 July 1996 – 8 June 1998
|-
|[[Abdulsalami Abubakar]]
| 9 June 1998 – 1999
|-
|[[Gnassingbé Eyadéma]]
|{{TOG}}
| 1999–1999
|-
|[[Alpha Oumar Konaré]]
|{{MLI}}
| 1999 – 21 December 2001
|-
|[[Abdoulaye Wade]]
|{{SEN}}
| 21 December 2001 – 31 January 2003
|-
|[[John Kufuor]]
|{{GHA}}
| 31 January 2003 – 19 January 2005
|-
|[[Mamadou Tandja]]
|{{NIG}}
| 19 January 2005 – 19 January 2007
|-
|[[Blaise Compaoré]]
|{{BFA}}
| 19 January 2007 – 19 December 2008
|-
|[[Umaru Musa Yar'Adua]]
| rowspan="2" |{{NGR}}
| 19 December 2008 – 18 February 2010
|-
|[[Goodluck Jonathan]]
| 18 February 2010 – 17 February 2012
|-
|[[Alassane Ouattara]]
|{{CIV}}
| 17 February 2012 – 17 February 2013
|-
|[[John Mahama]]
|{{GHA}}
| 17 February 2013 – 19 May 2015
|-
|[[Macky Sall]]
|{{SEN}}
| 19 May 2015 – 4 June 2016
|-
|[[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]]
|{{LBR}}
|4 June 2016 – 4 June 2017
|-
|[[Faure Gnassingbé]]
|{{TOG}}
|4 June 2017 – 31 July 2018
|-
|[[Muhammadu Buhari]]
|{{NGR}}
|31 July 2018 – 29 June 2019
|-
|[[Mahamadou Issoufou]]
|{{NIG}}
|29 June 2019 – 2 June 2020
|-
|[[Nana Akufo-Addo]]
|{{GHA}}
|2 June 2020 – 3 July 2022
|-
|[[Umaro Sissoco Embaló]]
|{{GNB}}
|3 July 2022 – 9 July 2023
|-
|[[Bola Tinubu]]
|{{NGR}}
|9 July 2023 – 22 June 2025
|-
|[[Julius Maada Bio]]
|{{SLE}}
|22 June 2025 - current
|}

=== Regional security co-operation ===
{{See also|Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group|ECOWAS Standby Force}}
ECOWAS nations signed a non-aggression protocol in 1990 along with two earlier agreements in 1978 and 1981. They also signed a Protocol on Mutual Defence Assistance in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 29 May 1981, that provided for the establishment of an Allied Armed Force of the Community.<ref>{{cite web |title=Profile: Economic Community of West African States |publisher=Africa Union |date=18 November 2010 |url=http://www.africa-union.org/Recs/ECOWASProfile.pdf |access-date=10 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626213148/http://www.africa-union.org/Recs/ECOWASProfile.pdf |archive-date=26 June 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Community Parliament ===
The Community Parliament consists of 115 members, distributed based on the population of each member state.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 September 2016 |title=About Us – ECOWAS Parliament |url=http://www.ecowasparliament.org/en/about-us |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307061719/http://www.ecowasparliament.org/en/about-us |archive-date=7 March 2017 |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=ecowasparliament}}</ref> This body is headed by the Speaker of the Parliament, who is above the Secretary General.

{| class=" wikitable sortable"
|-
!Country
! Parliament Seats
|-
|{{BEN}}
|5
|-
|{{BFA}}
|6
|-
|{{CPV}}
|5
|-
|{{GMB}}
|5
|-
|{{GHA}}
|8
|-
|{{GIN}}
|6
|-
|{{GNB}}
|5
|-
|{{CIV}}
|7
|-
|{{LBR}}
|5
|-
|{{MLI}}
|6
|-
|{{NER}}
|6
|-
|{{NGA}}
|35
|-
|{{SEN}}
|6
|-
|{{SLE}}
|5
|-
|{{TGO}}
|5
|}

=== Expanded ECOWAS Commission ===
For the third time since its inception in 1975, ECOWAS is undergoing institutional reforms. The first was when it revised its treaty on 24 July 1993; the second was in 2007 when the Secretariat was transformed into a Commission. As of July 2013, ECOWAS now has six new departments (Human Resources Management; Education, Science and Culture; Energy and Mines; Telecommunications and IT; Industry and Private Sector Promotion). Finance and Administration to Sierra Leone has been decoupled, to give the incoming Ghana Commissioner the new portfolio of Administration and Conferences.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bensah |first=Emmanuel K. |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/477274/1/communicating-the-ecowas-message-4-a-new-roadmap-f.html |title=Communicating ECOWAS Message (4): A New Roadmap for the Ouedraogo Commission(1) |publisher=Modern Ghana |date=24 July 2013 |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-date=3 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703233031/http://www.modernghana.com/news/477274/1/communicating-the-ecowas-message-4-a-new-roadmap-f.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Community Court of Justice ===
{{main|ECOWAS Court}}

ECOWAS Community Court of Justice was created by a protocol signed in 1991 and was later included in Article 6 of the Revised Treaty of the Community in 1993.<ref name="Court">{{cite web |url=http://www.ecowascourt.org/French/texts/information.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030151400/http://www.ecowascourt.org/French/texts/information.pdf |title=ECOWAS (2007) ''Information Manual: The Institutions of the Community'' ECOWAS |archive-date=30 October 2008}}</ref> However, the Court did not officially begin operations until the 1991 protocol came into effect on 5 November 1996. The jurisdiction of the court is outlined in Article 9 and Articles 76 of the Revised Treaty and allows rulings on disputes between states over interpretations of the Revised Treaty. It also provides ECOWAS Council with advisory opinions on legal issues (Article 10). Like its companion courts, the [[European Court of Human Rights]] and [[East African Court of Justice]], it has jurisdiction to rule on fundamental [[human rights]] breaches.<ref name="Court" />

=== Sporting and cultural exchange ===
ECOWAS nations organise a broad array of cultural and sports events under the auspices of the body, including the [[CEDEAO Cup]] in [[association football|football]], the [[2012 ECOWAS Games]] and the [[Miss CEDEAO]] [[Beauty contest|beauty pageant]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss ECOWAS 2010 |newspaper=The Economist |date=18 November 2010 |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/baobab/2010/11/west_african_beauty_pageant |access-date=10 December 2010 |archive-date=16 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216080859/https://www.economist.com/blogs/baobab/2010/11/west_african_beauty_pageant |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Community Heads of State and Government adopted [[Lutte Traditionnelle|African Traditional Wrestling]] as the Community sport, and through its specialised agency in charge of youth and sports development, the [[Ouagadougou]]-based ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC), has consistently organised the yearly ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament mainly in [[Dakar]] (Senegal) and [[Niamey]] (Niger) based on a harmonized African wrestling code.

The Community, through the EYSDC, also organized 2 editions of ECOWAS International Cycling tour, taking close to 100 riders from all member states, from [[Lagos]] to [[Accra]] and then from Lagos to [[Abidjan]]. In addition to the sports and well-being objective of the tour, the race also served to demonstrate and put into practice ECOWAS protocol on free movement of goods and persons.

In 2019, the EYSDC instituted ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon. The first edition brought together international marathoners from West Africa, [[Kenya]], [[Ethiopia]] and [[Cameroon]].

Similarly, the Community, through its specialised agency, promotes regional sports development by offering sponsorship to regional sports federations and specialized disciplines such as the West African Deaf Sports Union (WADSU), the West African Liaison Office of the International Council for Military Sports (WALO-CISM), the Region 2 of the African Athletics Federation, and the [[West African University Games]] (WAUG), among others.

=== Youth ===
The ECOWAS Youth Policy Strategic Plan of Action (SPAO) is a 10-year plan that aims to promote youth development and empowerment in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The SPAO was adopted in 2016 and is based on the pillars of education and training, employment and entrepreneurship, health and well-being, peace and security, and governance and participation.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |title=Ecowas youth policy and strategic plan of action |date=2010 |url=http://librarydb.unilag.edu.ng/newgenlibctxt/View?CatId=28083&OwnLibId=1&LibraryId=1&From=Library |access-date=2023-08-05 |publisher=Ecowas Commission 2010 |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805154140/http://librarydb.unilag.edu.ng/newgenlibctxt/View?CatId=28083&OwnLibId=1&LibraryId=1&From=Library |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-27 |title=ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre keen on globalising Traditional African Sports |url=https://gna.org.gh/2023/04/ecowas-youth-and-sports-development-centre-keen-on-globalising-traditional-african-sports/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Ghana News Agency |language=en-US |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805161440/https://gna.org.gh/2023/04/ecowas-youth-and-sports-development-centre-keen-on-globalising-traditional-african-sports/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The SPAO identifies a number of challenges facing youth in ECOWAS, including high unemployment rates, lack of access to education and training, and poor health outcomes. The plan sets out a number of strategies to address these challenges, including investing in education and training, creating jobs and supporting entrepreneurship, improving access to health care, promoting peace and security, and strengthening youth participation in governance.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== Economic integration ==

=== West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) {{anchor|West African Economic and Monetary Union}}===
{{Main|West African Economic and Monetary Union}}
{{See also|CFA franc|Central Bank of West African States}}

Formed in 1994 on the basis of earlier arrangements whose roots lie in the colonial era of [[French West Africa]], the West African Economic and Monetary Union, often referred to by its French acronym UEMOA, brings together eight West African states of which seven were French colonies until the late 1950s. The member countries use the [[West African CFA franc]] as their currency and share common institutions including the [[Central Bank of West African States]], [[Banking Commission of the West African Monetary Union]], [[Financial Markets Authority of the West African Monetary Union]], and (together with other African countries of the [[Franc Zone]]) [[Regional Insurance Control Commission]].

==== Membership ====
* {{BEN}} (founding member)
* {{BFA}} (founding member)
* {{GNB}} (joined on 2 May 1997)
* {{CIV}} (founding member)
* {{MLI}} (founding member)
* {{NIG}} (founding member)
* {{SEN}} (founding member)
* {{TOG}} (founding member)

=== West African Monetary Zone ===
{{See also|Eco (currency)}}
Formed in 2000, the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) is a group of six countries within ECOWAS that plan to introduce a common currency called the [[eco (currency)|eco]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/219137/1/common-west-africa-currency-eco-in-2015.html |title=Common West Africa currency: ECO in 2015 |newspaper=MC Modern Ghana |access-date=17 June 2013 |archive-date=11 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611054839/http://www.modernghana.com/news/219137/1/common-west-africa-currency-eco-in-2015.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The six member states of WAMZ are [[Gambia]], [[Ghana]], [[Guinea]], [[Nigeria]] and [[Sierra Leone]] who founded the organisation together in 2000 and [[Liberia]] who joined on 16 February 2010. Apart from Guinea, which is francophone, they are all English-speaking countries. Along with [[Mauritania]], Guinea opted out of the [[CFA franc]] currency shared by all other former French colonies in [[West Africa|West]] and [[Central Africa]].

The WAMZ attempts to establish a strong stable currency to rival the CFA franc, whose [[Fixed exchange-rate system|exchange rate is tied]] to that of the euro and is guaranteed by the [[Trésor public|French Treasury]]. The eventual goal is for the CFA franc and eco to merge, giving all of West and Central Africa a single, stable currency. The launch of the new currency is being developed by the [[West African Monetary Institute]] based in [[Accra]], Ghana.

With the exit of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the body, two structural options for a single currency could emerge: the "Sahel" for the AES and the "Eco" for the ECOWAS member countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.linfodrome.com/economie/109105-afrique-de-l-ouest-une-region-bientot-deux-monnaies-le-sahel-aes-et-l-eco-cedeao |title=Afrique de l'Ouest / Une région, bientôt deux monnaies: Le Sahel (AES) et l'Eco (CEDEAO) |work=linfodrome |date=7 May 2025 |access-date=8 May 2025}}</ref>

==== Membership ====
* {{GAM}} (founding member)
* {{GHA}} (founding member)
* {{GIN}} (founding member)
* {{LBR}} (joined on 16 February 2010)<ref>{{cite web |title=The Supplementary Wamz Payment System Development Project the Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia |publisher=Africa Development Bank Group |year=2011 |url=http://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/project-portfolio/project/p-z1-hz0-002/ |access-date=7 May 2011 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320054136/http://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/project-portfolio/project/p-z1-hz0-002/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WAMZ gets US$7.8 million grant |work=Accra Daily Mail |year=2011 |url=http://www.accra-mail.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27733:wamz-gets-us-78-million-grant&catid=81:business&Itemid=211 |access-date=7 May 2011 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805043015/http://ww17.accra-mail.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27733:wamz-gets-us-78-million-grant&catid=81:business&Itemid=211 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{NGR}} (founding member)
* {{SLE}} (founding member)

=== The Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment Protocol ===
In May 1979, ECOWAS adopted a Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment Protocol, which permits citizens to enter, reside, and establish economic activities in the territory of member states.<ref name=":4">{{cite journal |last1=Adepoju |first1=A. |last2=Boulton |first2=A. |last3=Levin |first3=M. |title=Promoting Integration Through Mobility: Free Movement Under Ecowas |journal=Refugee Survey Quarterly |date=September 2010 |volume=29 |issue=3 |pages=120–144 |doi=10.1093/rsq/hdq032}}</ref> There were three phases of implementation to achieve the goals of the protocol. Over the course of five years, Phase I eliminated the need for visas for stays of up to 90 days within the ECOWAS territory.<ref name=":4" /> Phase II attempted to extend residency to citizens in host ECOWAS states to seek income-earning employment after obtaining an ECOWAS residence card. Phase II also required member states to grant migrant workers equal treatment in areas such as employment, participation, social and cultural activities, and in certain cases of job loss, re-employment, and training.<ref name=":4"/> Phase III centered on the facilitation and establishment of business through the right of citizens to manage economic activities in countries other than their country of origin. However, this right has not been fully established in the ECOWAS region.<ref name=":4" /> While these three phases promoting freedom of movement within the ECOWAS region is more advanced than in any other regional grouping in Africa, only the first phase has been fully implemented by all ECOWAS countries.<ref name=":4" /> The complete implementation of the 90-day visa-free window enhanced human mobility in the region, creating positive effects on trade and economic development.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Castillejo |first1=Clare |title=The influence of EU migration policy on regional free movement in the IGAD and ECOWAS regions |journal=Discussion Paper |date=2019 |doi=10.23661/dp11.2019}}</ref>

In December 2000, the [[ECOWAS passport]] was introduced as a common passport that functions as an international travel document, and member states are currently in the process of implementing a joint visa for non-ECOWAS citizens.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECOWAS – Free Movement of Persons |url=https://archive.uneca.org/pages/ecowas-free-movement-persons |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=UNECA |archive-date=28 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128212014/https://archive.uneca.org/pages/ecowas-free-movement-persons |url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, ECOWAS has worked to ease the movement of people transported in private and commercial vehicles by implementing policies that enable vehicles to enter and reside in a State for up to ninety days. Most ECOWAS states have instituted an ECOWAS brown card, which provides prompt, fair, and immediate compensation for any motor accident which occurs outside a motorist's home-country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benefits |url=https://www.browncard.org/Avantages.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance |language=fr |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928070401/https://browncard.org/Avantages.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

While monitoring committees exist to ensure all three phases of the protocol are successfully implemented, their work is vague and has not been credited with effective and efficient production of data.<ref name=":4" /> The largest challenges assosicated within the implementation of the protocol occur due to lack of commitment and enforceability. More so, there is a lack of access to readily available migrant information in the ECOWAS region. This poses a barrier to freedom of movement as immigration officials in member states are unaware that individuals who hold valid travel documents can enter their country freely. Therefore, West African migrants, who are entitled to enter through regular channels, leave their countries without proper travel documents and enter other countries illegally. This illegal and irregular entry poses a barrier towards gaining reliable travel statistics.<ref name=":4" />

For example, Francophone countries in the region have issued national identity cards that can be used similarly to a passport. These cards permit citizens to cross borders after presenting their identity cards. However, Anglophone countries have only just begun distributing a similar form of identification. Consequently, immigration officials in Anglophone countries commonly reject Francophone national identity cards and do not permit Francophone citizens to cross into their borders. Further, these structural barriers are exasperated between different social classes. Middle-class individuals typically experience a smoother border-crossing process than working-class individuals and impoverished citizens who do not have travel documents and are not fluent in the language of the countries they are crossing into.<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-97322-3_2 |chapter=Free Movement and Regional Integration in the ECOWAS Sub-Region |title=Migration in West Africa |series=IMISCOE Research Series |date=2022 |last1=Garba |first1=Faisal |last2=Yeboah |first2=Thomas |pages=19–34 |isbn=978-3-030-99238-5}}</ref>

== Transport ==
{{Main|ECOWAS rail}}

A Trans-ECOWAS project, established in 2007, plans to upgrade railways in this zone.<ref>[http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2009/10/proposed-ecowas-railway/ Proposed Ecowas railway] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024131043/http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2009/10/proposed-ecowas-railway/ |date=24 October 2009}} ''railwaysafrica.com''</ref>

==Tourism==
In 2019, ECOWAS unveiled its Ecotour Action Plan 2019 – 2029. It focuses on tourism heritage protection and development and on the development of standards, regulations, and control systems.<ref>[http://westafricatourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ECOWAS-Regional-Tourism-Policy-Action-Plan-2019-2029.pdf ECOWAS Regional Tourism Action Plan] ''westafricatourism.com'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504111923/http://westafricatourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ECOWAS-Regional-Tourism-Policy-Action-Plan-2019-2029.pdf|date=4 May 2021}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ecowas.int/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Final-Communiqu%C3%A9_55th-Summit_Abuja_29-June-2019-1.pdf ECOWAS ECOTOUR] (PDF). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603122325/https://www.ecowas.int/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Final-Communiqu%c3%a9_55th-Summit_Abuja_29-June-2019-1.pdf|date=3 June 2020}}. ''www.ecowas.int''.</ref><ref>[http://apanews.net/en/news/ecowas-to-promote-regional-development-through-tourism ECOWAS to promote regional development through tourism] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504111923/http://apanews.net/en/news/ecowas-to-promote-regional-development-through-tourism |date=4 May 2021 }} ''apanews.net''</ref> The plan includes five programs for implementation, and detailed mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation. [[Ecotourism]] is not specifically developed, yet it has been mentioned that the program has the opportunity to create linkages between institutions and stakeholder collaboration to suit ecotourism projects that prioritize community, biodiversity, and socioeconomics.<ref>[https://trade4devnews.enhancedif.org/en/op-ed/west-africas-ecotourism-initiative-last-chance-protect-african-biodiversity West Africa's (eco)tourism initiative: Last chance to protect African biodiversity] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504111930/https://trade4devnews.enhancedif.org/en/op-ed/west-africas-ecotourism-initiative-last-chance-protect-african-biodiversity |date=4 May 2021}} ''trade4devnews.enhancedif.org''</ref> The Ecotour Plan prioritizes local development, especially in generating skilled and unskilled jobs for marginalized individuals, and aims to make the ECOWAS region a first-class tourist destination in Africa.<ref name=":6">{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|2232643790}} |title=ECOWAS to promote regional development through tourism |agency=Agence de Presse Africaine |date=31 May 2019}}</ref> During its creation, ECOWAS ministers also called on ecotourism programs to protect threatened biodiversity in the [[Guinean Forests of West Africa|Guinean Forests]], which span into seven ECOWAS member states. Similar to the Free Movement of People Protocol, Ecotour aims to integrate aviation and ground transportation. ECOWAS hopes that this regional approach will allow states to fight against [[COVID-19 pandemic in West Africa|pandemics such as COVID-19]] to restore tourism and ecosystems. Ecotour works to create increasing returns to its members' economies by lowering transport costs, developing hospitality training centers and creating a more integrated use of digital technology.<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Africa's (eco)tourism initiative: Last chance to protect African biodiversity |url=https://trade4devnews.enhancedif.org/en/op-ed/west-africas-ecotourism-initiative-last-chance-protect-african-biodiversity |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=trade4devnews.enhancedif.org |language=en |archive-date=4 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504111930/https://trade4devnews.enhancedif.org/en/op-ed/west-africas-ecotourism-initiative-last-chance-protect-african-biodiversity |url-status=live}}</ref>

As of March 2023, Council members mentioned that phases one and two of the Ecotour Action Plan have come to an end and that the community is moving into phase three and four, which focuses on the development of tourist accommodations establishments, and a proposal for a regional mechanism to enforce tourist regulations. By the end of phase five, ECOWAS hopes to have unified accommodations in hotels, ecolodges, motels, [[apart hotel]]s, and hostels. In April 2023, tourism experts met to amend the new text for tourist accommodations in the ECOWAS region.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Daniel Inaju |title=Tourism Experts from West Africa to Meet in Lome |work=ECOWAS |url=https://ecowas.int/tourism-experts-from-west-africa-to-meet-in-lome/ |access-date=2023-11-18 |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802172348/https://ecowas.int/tourism-experts-from-west-africa-to-meet-in-lome/ |url-status=live}}</ref> This phase is critical to the success of the Ecotour plan as the lack of a regulatory system has been a barrier to the development of the tourism sector, despite its ability to increase member states' economies.<ref>{{Cite web |website=Africa Hotel Report |date=2023-04-01 |title=ECOWAS Commission Develops New Regulations for Tourist Accommodation in West Africa |url=https://africahotelreport.com/ecowas-sets-new-tourist-accommodation-regulations-in-africa/ |access-date=2023-11-27 |language=en-US |archive-date=28 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128212014/https://africahotelreport.com/ecowas-sets-new-tourist-accommodation-regulations-in-africa/ |url-status=usurped}}</ref> During this conference, ministers improved the tourism industry by adopting standards for hotel services. Massandjé Toure-Liste, the ECOWAS Commission's Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, pointed out the improvements in the tourist sector due to the [[African Continental Free Trade Area]], a trade agreement signed by 44 members of the [[African Union]] which creates a single market for goods and services. Toure-Liste praised the trade area for providing development opportunities, economic growth, and boosting regional integration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECOWAS ministers boost the tourism industry with the adoption of new standards for hotel services |url=https://www.trademarkafrica.com/news/ecowas-ministers-boost-the-tourism-industry-with-the-adoption-of-new-standards-for-hotel-services/ |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=TradeMark Africa |language=en-US |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118003443/https://www.trademarkafrica.com/news/ecowas-ministers-boost-the-tourism-industry-with-the-adoption-of-new-standards-for-hotel-services/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Repatriation of cultural artefacts ==
ECOWAS has emerged as a key regional actor in the movement to repatriate cultural property removed during colonial and post-colonial conflicts. In 2019, its Ministers of Culture adopted a Regional Action Plan for the return of African cultural artefacts to their countries of origin, marking a formal commitment to correct historical injustices and to safeguard regional heritage.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |author=Daniel Inaju |title=ECOWAS ministers of culture adopt a regional action plan for the return of african cultural artefacts to their countries of origin |url=https://www.ecowas.int/ecowas-ministers-of-culture-adopt-a-regional-action-plan-for-the-return-of-african-cultural-artefacts-to-their-countries-of-origin/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=ECOWAS |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":23">{{Cite web |author=Daniel Inaju |title=A Regional Action Plan for the Return of African Cultural Property to Their Countries of Origin |url=https://www.ecowas.int/a-regional-action-plan-for-the-return-of-african-cultural-property-to-their-countries-of-origin/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=ECOWAS |language=en}}</ref>

West Africa's museums, palaces and sacred sites suffered extensive plunder under European colonial regimes. Artefacts ranging from royal regalia to ritual objects were extracted and dispersed across Europe and North America. This loss of cultural patrimony weakened local identities and deprived future generations of tangible links to their past. By the late twentieth century, ECOWAS member states recognised that repatriating such objects was essential to restoring cultural continuity and promoting tourism and education in the region.

Individual member states initiated bilateral requests for return of artefacts as early as the 1960s, but these efforts often lacked coordination and leverage. In December 2018, ECOWAS Heads of State adopted a Political Declaration in Abuja instructing the Commission to develop a regional mechanism for repatriation, reflecting a consensus that joint action would carry greater weight in negotiations with former colonial powers.<ref name=":23"/><ref name=":14"/> Critics warned that without legal force, the plan risked being a symbolic gesture.

On 17 July 2019 in Cotonou, Benin, ECOWAS Ministers of Culture validated the 2019–2023 Regional Action Plan for the return of cultural artefacts. The Plan sets out six strategic objectives, including establishing a legal framework, mobilising financing, strengthening governance and mapping artefact inventories held abroad.<ref name=":14"/> In May 2021, ECOWAS Commissioner Mamadou Traoré led advocacy talks with Liberian authorities to encourage ratification of the 1970 [[UNESCO]] Convention and the 1995 [[UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects]], underscoring ECOWAS's role in driving member-state compliance with international norms.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Daniel Inaju |title=ECOWAS Advocacy for the Return of Cultural Property to the Countries of Origin: Commissioner Mamadou Traore holds talks with the Liberian Authorities |url=https://www.ecowas.int/ecowas-advocacy-for-the-return-of-cultural-property-to-the-countries-of-origin-commissioner-mamadou-traore-holds-talks-with-the-liberian-authorities/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=ECOWAS |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Ecowas Brown Card Insurance Scheme|Brown card system]] – motor insurance scheme of ECOWAS
* [[Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa]] (COMESA)
* [[East African Community]]
* [[Economic Community of Central African States]] (ECCAS)
* [[Economy of Africa]]
* [[ECOWAS Peace Pageant]]
* [[Intergovernmental Authority on Development]]
* [[Southern African Development Community]] (SADC)
* [[Alliance of Sahel States]] &ndash; a separatist bloc

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Economic Community of West African States}}
* {{official website|http://www.ecowas.int/}}

{{African Trade Agreements}}
{{ECOWAS}}
{{Regional organizations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Economic Community of West African States| ]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:African Union]]
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[[Category:International economic organizations]]
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[[Category:Organizations based in Abuja]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1975]]
[[Category:Regional Economic Communities of the African Union]]
[[Category:Supranational unions]]
[[Category:Trade blocs]]
[[Category:United Nations General Assembly observers]]